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Assessing the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on the Livelihoods of Communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel Obiri

    (Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana
    Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, P.O. Box AD 738, Cape Coast, Ghana)

  • Precious A. D. Mattah

    (Directorate Academic Planning and Quality Assurance Unit, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Memuna M. Mattah

    (Department of Environmental and Development Studies, Central University College, P.O. Box 2305, Tema, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Frederick A. Armah

    (Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shiloh Osae

    (Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sam Adu-kumi

    (Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box M 326, Accra, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Philip O. Yeboah

    (Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Gold mining has played an important role in Ghana’s economy, however the negative environmental and socio-economic effects on the host communities associated with gold mining have overshadowed these economic gains. It is within this context that this paper assessed in an integrated manner the environmental and socio-economic impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality from a natural and social science perspective. The natural science group collected 200 random samples on bi-weekly basis between January to October 2013 from water bodies in the study area for analysis in line with methods outlined by the American Water Works Association, while the social science team interviewed 250 residents randomly selected for interviews on socio-economic issues associated with mining. Data from the socio-economic survey was analyzed using logistic regression with SPSS version 17. The results of the natural science investigation revealed that the levels of heavy metals in water samples from the study area in most cases exceeded GS 175-1/WHO permissible guideline values, which are in tandem with the results of inhabitants’ perceptions of water quality survey (as 83% of the respondents are of the view that water bodies in the study area are polluted). This calls for cost-benefits analysis of mining before new mining leases are granted by the relevant authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Obiri & Precious A. D. Mattah & Memuna M. Mattah & Frederick A. Armah & Shiloh Osae & Sam Adu-kumi & Philip O. Yeboah, 2016. "Assessing the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on the Livelihoods of Communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:2:p:160-:d:62940
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mozhgon Rajaee & Samuel Obiri & Allyson Green & Rachel Long & Samuel J. Cobbina & Vincent Nartey & David Buck & Edward Antwi & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-41, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dingde Xu & Enlai Liu & Xuxi Wang & Hong Tang & Shaoquan Liu, 2018. "Rural Households’ Livelihood Capital, Risk Perception, and Willingness to Purchase Earthquake Disaster Insurance: Evidence from Southwestern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Macêdo Coelho, Yuri Cavaleiro de & de Medeiros, Priscila Sanjuan & Santos, Janaira Almeida & Araújo Lucas, Flávia Cristina, 2022. "Perception of environmental impacts of aggregate mining: A case study from the municipality of Ourém, Pará, Brazil," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Poignant, Adrian, 2023. "Small-scale mining and agriculture: Evidence from northwestern Tanzania," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).

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